I sound like an elevator operator - that's for those old enough to remember beyond self operating elevators. Yes, they were fun - anyway..........This was the weekend set aside for the annual Home Show in Daytona Beach (Florida - for those out of the US who may not have heard of the town) It's the greatest freebie around and a kind of Trick and Treat for adults. Except for parking which is reduced for this event, or if someone drops you off and comes back for you, it's FREE and you can take home bags full of brochures, the items mentioned in my title here and eat and drink samples and munch on tootsie rolls, peppermints and lollipops. And of course, you can buy things which I did - 2 items - not especially cheap but not very expensive. I bought a gadget like those rollers on handles that have sticky paper to remove pet hair from your close. Those, when full of hair, you tear off that piece of paper and start "filling a new section. This version has a roller that is slightly sticky, a pull out handle that reaches the floor and you put it in a bucket of soapy water, wipe off and it works again. I question how long this "stickiness" works, but when yoiur clothes look like you are the dog, it's worth a try - although a little expensive if it doesn't work even with the purse size one given with it. My second purchase was for a veggie shredder. I do have a food processor which needs to be repaired but this item is smaller and there's not the cutting necessary to make a fresh salad which we know is healthy for us. It even cubes tomotoes and those who cook know how hard making 1/4" chunks can be. Ofcourse there are add ons, but they can always be added. (One woman bought just the add ons she wanted - she has had her slicer for 20 years and it still works!) For me, it will be worth the money- I am right handed and doing things like cutting uo small pieces is a bit difficult since my right hand was affected by the stroke.

The most interesting thing at the show to me though was the large number of handicapped people in attendence. True, the percentage of the total was small but still, everywhere you turned was a rollator or a motorized (some manual) wheelchair. This was wonderful to me because it showed that "our community" was out enjoying themselves even though their own wheels are "taking a holiday". No, my rollator wasn't parked at home, but I was not controlling it either. My sister had cracked her pelvis 6 weeks ago after recovering from a broken femur - she had recupersted so well that she was back to using ladders and she didn't use proper judgement and fell off the ladder. She has again needed to use a walker and she used the one from the break which is the type that has no wheels, no tennis balls but has to be lifted each step. (This is the type necessary for that type of break - I don't know why). So I said, I'm not going to use it, you can use it. So, instead of having to do part of the ahow and then have to give up, she was able to walk the entire show. The good thing for me was, when I used it, I could not pick it up and place it in the car. (It's heavier and larger than most) which is what I liked about it. This time I had no choice - that was my job, and I did it! This again proves that yes, you do become able to do things that you couldn't do months ago.

It was a tiring but fun day - and after a cold soda and some dinner, sack time. The weary bones and muscles are ready again.